Former President Rob Shibata, AAF, President of Mt. Eden Floral Company LLC passed the gavel to President Santiago Cock-Rada, General Manager of Liberty Blooms. Santiago is the first Colombian president of WF&FSA. Photo courtesy WF&FSA
Almost 860 floral industry members were in Miami last week for the 2016 Floral Distribution Conference — making it the best attended conference in the history of the Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Association.
The high attendance continues an upward trend. The 2015 conference drew a crowd of 780; the 2014 event had about 750 attendees. Past WF&FSA President Alan Tanouye of Floralife Inc. has attributed the popularity of the event to its location in South Florida (and proximity to many WF&FSA members) and its focus on education and networking time — features that participants prioritize.
In fact, this year’s event, held at the Miami Airport Convention Center, featured networking opportunities, including an Oktoberfest celebration on Wednesday, educational programming, products, 110 table top displays, as well as a Breeders Showcase.
Other highlights from the conference:
New Leadership. Rob Shibata, AAF, President of Mt. Eden Floral Company passed the gavel to new President Santiago Cock-Rada, General Manager of Liberty Blooms.
In his address, Shibata noted that WF&FSA is paying increased attention to communication, with a blog and newsletter written on industry issues by industry members. He also emphasized the importance of leadership programs for young industry members and traveling programs, to reach more members.
Charles Walton of Smithers-Oasis received this year’s 2016 LTK Award. Photo courtesy WF&FSA
“I hope that I leave the association better than I started,” he said. “I got more than I gave.”
Santiago is the first Colombian president of WF&FSA. Marla O’dell of Berwick Offray was elected president-elect.
LTK Award. Charles Walton of Smithers-Oasis received the 2016 LTK Award. Walton joined Smithers-Oasis in 1975 and led the company for the next three decades. “This is a bit of a shock,” he admitted. “I have never imagined walking in the footsteps of the previous recipients of this award.” Walton was inducted into the Society of American Florists’ Floriculture Hall of Fame in 2015.
Read more about the conference.